1998 Chrysler Sebring Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 1998 Chrysler Sebring most commonly report front lower ball joint failures that can lead to the wheel separating from the vehicle, and exterior door handles that break off due to plastic construction. Stalling and engine-related problems are also frequently described, often at higher mileages. Complaints span a wide range of mileage, from low-mileage brake concerns to high-mileage suspension and drivetrain failures.

1. 1
   Suspension

   Front lower ball joint failure / wheel separation

   • 50 complaints (19%)
   • median 85,500 mi at 9.5 yrs old (18 state mileage)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2015

   Complaints describe the front lower ball joint fracturing or separating, sometimes with the wheel coming away from the vehicle while driving at low to moderate speeds. Owners report little or no prior warning, with some hearing a grinding or squeaking noise shortly before the failure. Several complaints note that the vehicle had previously been serviced under a recall for this same component, yet the failure recurred. Dealers and independent mechanics confirmed ball joint failure in multiple cases. Reported across a wide mileage range, from around 44,000 miles to over 170,000 miles, with several incidents occurring above 100,000 miles.

   Recall 00V421002

   What to check: Verify whether recall 00V421002 for the front lower lateral arm ball joints has been performed, and ask whether the repair has been inspected for lubrication or wear since completion.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “History of failed attempts of dealer [ whitten brothers, richmond,va ] to diagnosis this problem and correct it. Problem is a harsh noise coming from the front [under ] the car when a road pot hole or imperfection [substantial ] is run over. The noise is pronounced , indicating some type of defect must be present. The last time I was there at whitten bros [5/2009] the recall which would have corrected this was not issued yet... Recall announced below ..I was never notified. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10627938, filed 2014-08, 44,000 miles

   “History of failed attempts of dealer [ whitten brothers,richmond,va ] to diagnosis this problem and correct it. Problem is a harsh noise coming from the front[under ]the car when a road pot hole or imperfection [substantial ] is run over. The noise is pronounced , indicating some type of defect must be present.. The last time I was there at whitten bros the recall which would have corrected this was not issued yet... Recall announced below ..I was never notified ,,I am the original owner and should have been recalled... …”

   NHTSA complaint #10627936, filed 2014-08, 44,000 miles
2. 2
   Body and structure

   Exterior door handles breaking off

   • 27 complaints (10%)
   • median 92,500 mi at 8.3 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • filed 1998–2012

   Owners report that the exterior door handles, described as made of plastic, snap or break off with normal use, often affecting both the driver and passenger sides within a short period of each other. Some owners describe being unable to open the doors from the outside and having to enter through a window or the trunk. Dealers and mechanics have replaced the handles, but complaints note the replacements also broke relatively quickly. Reported from around 50,000 miles up to over 200,000 miles, with several complaints noting both handles failed within months of each other.

   What to check: Check both exterior door handles for cracks or looseness before purchase, and ask whether the handles have been replaced and with what material.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “In april 2003 my exterior driverside doorhandle broke off. In june2003, my exterior passanger side doorhandle broke off. Both handles broke off in the same places. Very weak plastic, dealer told me the car was old(1998). I have owned older cars and had no problems with the handles breaking off. I am not that strong I didn't rip it off.”

   NHTSA complaint #10025169, filed 2003-06, 85,000 miles

   “When we acquired our 1998 Chrysler Sebring june 2010, both outside door handles were broken. We could only open the door through an open window. The dealer wanted $500 to install them. In april 2012, the passenger handle broke again. Now, june 2012, the driver handle broke again. The parts installed two years ago have both broken again. These parts are plastic and apparently do not last very long. Is there a recall? What do we do?”

   NHTSA complaint #10462871, filed 2012-06, 201,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Engine stalling / distributor and fuel system failures

   Mentioned in 7 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the vehicle stalling without warning while driving, sometimes requiring a wait before the engine will restart. Owners frequently point to a failing distributor, with some reporting the distributor failed more than once. Other complaints describe fuel pump problems, fuel injection issues, or coolant-related failures such as corroded freeze plugs with fluid loss. Mechanics and dealers performed diagnostics and in some cases replaced the distributor, fuel pump, or cooling components. Reported across a broad mileage range, with some cases around 32,000 to 38,000 miles and others above 128,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask about the service history for the distributor and fuel pump, and check for any recent cooling system repairs such as freeze plug replacements.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 1998 Chrysler Sebring. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle could be restarted; however, after several attempts the battery was drained. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 128,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #10780992, filed 2015-10, 128,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 1998 Chrysler Sebring. The contact stated that while attempting to decrease in speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 129,002.”

   NHTSA complaint #10618841, filed 2014-08, 129,002 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Automatic transmission shifting problems

   • 17 complaints (6%)
   • median 95,000 mi at 6.9 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2008

   Owners report the automatic transmission failing to shift correctly, humming, or not engaging from park. Some complaints describe needing to move the shifter to neutral or jiggle it before the engine will start, consistent with the park/neutral interlock recall. One complaint describes the vehicle rolling out of park after recall repairs were performed. Dealers and shops confirmed transmission module or full transmission failure in several cases, with repair costs described as substantial. Reported at varying mileages, with complaints ranging from around 78,000 miles to 149,000 miles.

   Recall 98V183000

   What to check: Confirm whether recall 98V183000 for the shift interlock cable has been completed, and test that the vehicle starts only with the shifter firmly in park and does not roll when parked on an incline.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I am the owner of a 1998 Chrysler Sebring, and recently have had problems with the transmission (automatic) not shifting correctly. We took the vehicle in to have it checked out and the shop said that this is a common problem with this vehicle. They said that when the ect module inside the transmission goes bad, it causes the whole transmission to burn out. We took the vehicle to the local Chrysler dealer to get a second opinion and they too confirmed that the transmission had gone bad, due to the module going out. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10000331, filed 2002-12, 112,325 miles

   “Upon attempting to start the car, I had to put the car in neutral or jiggle the gear in park in order to start the car. I replaced the starter thinking that was why the car would not start. I was informed by several auto part stores that I would have to replace the neutral safety switch, had that replaced and the car still would not start. I had my car towed to ganley dodge to have them put the transmission back into my car, which cost me $70 plus $180 diagnostic. The ganley dodge gave me a quote of $3500 for a new transmission. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10239681, filed 2008-08, 149,000 miles
5. 5
   Air bags

   Airbags did not deploy in a collision

   • 20 complaints (7%)
   • median 81,150 mi at 6.0 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 16 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2006

   Complaints describe the airbags failing to deploy during front-end collisions that left significant vehicle damage, with owners reporting injuries including concussions, facial injuries, and other trauma. Both driver and passenger airbags are mentioned as non-deploying in some incidents. No dashboard warning lights were reported before the collisions in several cases. One complaint also notes the airbag assembly was tied to a horn circuit failure diagnosed by the dealer. Reported at mileages ranging from around 46,000 to 120,000 miles, across different years of ownership.

   What to check: Check that the airbag warning light illuminates briefly at startup and then goes off, which indicates the system is functioning; ask whether any airbag-related repairs or replacements have been performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Due to problems with ball joint and vibrations when trying to stop vehicle I ran into the back of a truck and pushed that truck into the back of a mercedes. The impact was significant and resulted in a hole in the front of my 98 Chrysler Sebring lxi. Luckily, no one was hurt. The driver of the mercedes was anxious to leave the scene and since there was no damage to the truck I hit, everyone agreed not to stick around for the police. The air bag did not deploy. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10050731, filed 2003-12, 129,000 miles

   “I am so disgusted. I will never buy another Chrysler vehicle, nor will I encourage anyone else to do so. I purchased a 1998 Chrysler Sebring lxi on 6/29/2000. Since that time I have had the following problems: key won't work in trunk all the time. Lack of air bag deployment - 2 different incidents (reported in a previous complaint) passenger side seat belt will open if you just push against it - I have taken the vehicle to the certified service agent (over a year ago) who was supposed to order the part and contact me when it arrived. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10050738, filed 2003-12, 50,000 miles

Buying note. The 1998 Chrysler Sebring has a documented history of front lower ball joint failures covered under recall 00V421002, so confirming that recall work has been done and the repair has held is a priority before purchase. Prospective buyers should also inspect the exterior door handles, verify the transmission and shift interlock recall status, and review the engine and cooling system service history.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.